Finding God's Will
How do you know God's will, whether it's for your whole life, or just for one particular situation. I've been asked this many times, and I'm sure you have to. I generally stick with the same old answers you've heard and used yourself many times:
Pray about it
Does the path agree with what the Bible tells us
And so on. But what about times where you can't seem to see what God's will might be, no matter how hard you look. Earlier this week, well, last week now, I was asked whether I thought God was trying to tell us something in a certain situation. I really wanted to say yes, as this would end up with that situation working out way I wanted it. Yet, being honest with myself and the other person, I had to say that I just didn't know. I hadn't felt any direct leading by God, or at least I don't think so, and with my own personal knowledge of my level of faith, I just couldn't distinguish between my own wants, and what God might be telling me. And this isn't some quick incident, but something I've been praying about and worrying about for a long time.
So how can we know God's will? Sorry, but I don't have anything new to say here. Going to the Lord in prayer, and reading your Bible to allow Him to speak to you, are still the ways to do it. But expand on these. Yes, you need to pray. But talk to other people involved in the situation, and make sure they're praying about it too, or even pray about it together. Talk to a friend, accountability partner, or even your pastor, and ask them to pray too. Don't attempt to limit the Lord's power by keeping your problems to yourself. God made us a family, and made us to interact together. He wants us to act that way, and even encourages it. Remember:
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
We are not meant to be solitary creatures, and this applies to everything, including coming to God. Now, I'm not saying there isn't a time to be alone with God. There most definitely is. But there are also times where God wants you to come with your brothers and sister's in Christ. Not only to praise His name during worship, but also on bent knee, bringing your supplications and needs to His feet.
This is not what I had planned on writing today at all, and may still get to other post, but really felt this was important, as I was struggling with what to write, and just with everything going on. Hope it helps y'all
Pray about it
Does the path agree with what the Bible tells us
And so on. But what about times where you can't seem to see what God's will might be, no matter how hard you look. Earlier this week, well, last week now, I was asked whether I thought God was trying to tell us something in a certain situation. I really wanted to say yes, as this would end up with that situation working out way I wanted it. Yet, being honest with myself and the other person, I had to say that I just didn't know. I hadn't felt any direct leading by God, or at least I don't think so, and with my own personal knowledge of my level of faith, I just couldn't distinguish between my own wants, and what God might be telling me. And this isn't some quick incident, but something I've been praying about and worrying about for a long time.
So how can we know God's will? Sorry, but I don't have anything new to say here. Going to the Lord in prayer, and reading your Bible to allow Him to speak to you, are still the ways to do it. But expand on these. Yes, you need to pray. But talk to other people involved in the situation, and make sure they're praying about it too, or even pray about it together. Talk to a friend, accountability partner, or even your pastor, and ask them to pray too. Don't attempt to limit the Lord's power by keeping your problems to yourself. God made us a family, and made us to interact together. He wants us to act that way, and even encourages it. Remember:
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
We are not meant to be solitary creatures, and this applies to everything, including coming to God. Now, I'm not saying there isn't a time to be alone with God. There most definitely is. But there are also times where God wants you to come with your brothers and sister's in Christ. Not only to praise His name during worship, but also on bent knee, bringing your supplications and needs to His feet.
This is not what I had planned on writing today at all, and may still get to other post, but really felt this was important, as I was struggling with what to write, and just with everything going on. Hope it helps y'all